PRO14 ORGANISERS ARE planning to begin the new season with just 12 teams, it has been announced today.
The tournament restarted for the first time since March over the weekend with six all-Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Italian fixtures played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier today, the Southern Kings revealed their withdrawal from the competition due to financial problems.
Now it has been confirmed that the other South African side — the Cheetahs — will not return in 2020 either.
“Pro14 Rugby is aware of the Southern Kings voluntary decision to withdraw from any domestic competitions in South Africa for the rest of the 2020 calendar year,” today’s statement reads.
“Due to on-going travel restrictions enforced by the South African government against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not foreseen that any cross-border Guinness Pro14 games involving South Africa teams will take place until 2021.
Pro14 Rugby remains in discussion with SA Rugby on when South African participation in the league can resume in the new year.
“Work is already underway to concentrate the opening 2020/21 fixtures among the 12 European-based clubs.”
In 2017, the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs joined their northern hemisphere counterparts as the Pro12 was expanded to the Pro14.
The current season is due to end with the Grand Final on 12 September, with the 2020/21 campaign provisionally scheduled to kick off the weekend of 3 October.
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You could maybe say this harsh on the Cheetahs but with the shortened season it would be much better having less teams and less games. The players can only play so many games.
Pity but to be expected. Would prefer two conference system with 6 teams each and 18 games over the old one league system with 22 games for the season that’s in it. Possibly Pro16 season year after.
@Bryan Russell: You’d prefer less games than the old Pro12? So, less games for the season tkt? No thanks.
@Max Power: yes absolutely but for a season because there is a backlog with Europe and internationals, so taking out 4 games for one season will give a little down time for squads. And back to normal the following season weather it’s 22 in a pro 12 games or a Pro 16 that’s being hinted at.
Bring the proper South African teams in like the Sharks and Stormers, makes more sense with tv kick off times etc
Great news, they should never have been part of the league in the first place. They brought nothing really in a rugby sense and their blasé attitude to PED’s and testing is not good for the game.
@Clark: think this is only for this season, would expect more SA teams next /post covid season
If the plan is to make a new Pro16 competition I hope not all the newcomers are from SA. How about spreading the competition to Spain or Germany by allowing a team from either country enter? Heidelberg have two rugby teams and one of them is backed financially by the owner of Stade Français. The German league while semi pro is quite competitive. Could be a new revenue stream for the organisers as well.